US20030101538A1 - Hinge device - Google Patents
Hinge device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030101538A1 US20030101538A1 US10/258,261 US25826102A US2003101538A1 US 20030101538 A1 US20030101538 A1 US 20030101538A1 US 25826102 A US25826102 A US 25826102A US 2003101538 A1 US2003101538 A1 US 2003101538A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- turnable
- turnable member
- main body
- fitting recesses
- hinge assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 22
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 22
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 21
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 description 16
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 10
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 8
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
- E05F1/00—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
- E05F1/08—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass spring-actuated, e.g. for horizontally sliding wings
- E05F1/10—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass spring-actuated, e.g. for horizontally sliding wings for swinging wings, e.g. counterbalance
- E05F1/12—Mechanisms in the shape of hinges or pivots, operated by springs
- E05F1/1207—Mechanisms in the shape of hinges or pivots, operated by springs with a coil spring parallel with the pivot axis
- E05F1/1223—Mechanisms in the shape of hinges or pivots, operated by springs with a coil spring parallel with the pivot axis with a compression or traction spring
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
- H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
- H04M1/0206—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings
- H04M1/0208—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings characterized by the relative motions of the body parts
- H04M1/0214—Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
- H04M1/0216—Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
- E05D11/00—Additional features or accessories of hinges
- E05D11/08—Friction devices between relatively-movable hinge parts
- E05D11/087—Friction devices between relatively-movable hinge parts with substantially axial friction, e.g. friction disks
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
- E05D11/00—Additional features or accessories of hinges
- E05D11/10—Devices for preventing movement between relatively-movable hinge parts
- E05D11/1028—Devices for preventing movement between relatively-movable hinge parts for maintaining the hinge in two or more positions, e.g. intermediate or fully open
- E05D11/1078—Devices for preventing movement between relatively-movable hinge parts for maintaining the hinge in two or more positions, e.g. intermediate or fully open the maintaining means acting parallel to the pivot
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
- E05Y2999/00—Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
Definitions
- This invention relates to a hinge assembly suited to be used for a foldable cellular telephone, and the like, and more particularly to a hinge assembly capable of enlarging the turn biasing force.
- a hinge assembly of this type comprises a circular cylindrical hinge main body, a turnable member turnably but non-movably connected to one end portion of the hinge main body, a movable member movably but non-turnably provided on the hinge main body and disposed opposite the turnable member, and bias means for urging this movable member so as to abut with the turnable member.
- One of the abutment surfaces of the turnable member and the movable member is provided with a closing direction cam face and an opening direction cam face which are disposed away from each other by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction.
- the other abutment surface is provided with a first projection which contacts the closing direction cam face in the vicinity of the closed position and a second projection which contacts the opening direction cam face in the vicinity of the open position.
- the hinge assembly thus constructed is to be used in a foldable cellular telephone
- one of the hinge main body and the turnable member is non-turnably connected to a transmission section of the cellular telephone and the other is non-turnably connected to a reception section.
- the reception section is located in the vicinity of the closed position, the biasing force of the bias means is converted into a turn biasing force in the closing direction by both the closing direction cam face and first projection.
- the reception section is turn biased toward the closed position side and held in the closed position where the reception section is in collision with the transmission section.
- the biasing force of the bias means is converted into a turn biasing force in the opening direction by both the closing direction cam face and second projection.
- the reception section is held in the open position (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H07-11831 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-65778).
- the hinge assembly When the hinge assembly is to be attached to the cellular telephone, it is the normal practice that one each of the hinge assemblies is attached to one and the other end portions of the transmission section and the reception section in a direction of the rotation axis. And the reception section is turned with respective to the transmission section through the two hinge assemblies.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a hinge assembly in which only one hinge assembly, when used in a cellular telephone, for example, can turn the reception section sufficiently.
- the present invention provides a hinge assembly comprising a hinge main body, a turnable member turnably disposed at one end side of the hinge main body, a movable member disposed at one end portion of the hinge main body such that the turnable member is movable in a direction of a rotation axis of the turnable member but non-turnable and arranged opposite that end face of the turnable member which is oriented towards the other end side of the hinge main body, and bias means for urging the movable member so as to abut with the turnable member, one of abutment surfaces of the turnable member and the movable member being provided with a projection and the other abutment surface being provided with a cam face for converting a biasing force of the bias means into a turn biasing force for turning the turnable member in one direction by abutment
- the turnable member and the second turnable member are non-turnably and non-movably disposed at opposite end portions of a connection shaft which is turnably pierced through the hinge main body. It is more preferred that one of the turnable member and the second turnable member is integrally formed on the connection shaft.
- a fitting recess for allowing the projection to be detachably fitted therein in accordance with relative turning motion of the turnable member and the movable member is formed in that abutment surface of the abutment surfaces of the turnable member and the movable member on which the cam face is formed
- a second fitting recess for allowing the second projection to be detachably fitted therein in accordance with relative turning motion of the second turnable member and the second movable member is formed in that abutment surface of the abutment surfaces of the second turnable member and the second movable member on which the cam face is formed.
- fitting recesses are formed, the fitting recesses are arranged on a circumference about the axis of the turnable member in such a manner as to be away from one another, a plurality of the second fitting recesses are formed, the second fitting recesses are arranged on a circumference about the axis of the second turnable member in such a manner as to be away from one another.
- fitting recesses and the second fitting recesses are arranged in such a manner as to have mutually different phases in the circumferential directions of the turnable member and the second turnable member, so that the fitting recesses and the second fitting recesses are alternately located in the circumferential directions, or that the fitting recesses and the second fitting recesses are arranged in such a manner as to have a mutually same phase in the circumferential directions of the turnable member and the second turnable member.
- FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken on line X-X of FIG. 3, showing a first embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line X-X of FIG. 4, showing the above hinge assembly.
- FIG. 3 is a front view of the above hinge assembly.
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of the above hinge assembly.
- FIG. 5 is a view when viewed in a direction as indicated by an arrow Y of FIG. 3.
- FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the above hinge assembly.
- FIG. 7 is an illustration showing a first tunable member of the above hinge assembly
- FIG. 7(A) is a plan view thereof
- FIG. 7(B) is a sectional view taken on line B-B of FIG. 7(A)
- FIG. 7(C) is an enlarged sectional view taken on line C-C of FIG. 7(A)
- FIG. 7(D) is an enlarged view of the area indicated by D of FIG. 7(B).
- FIG. 8 is an illustration showing a cellular telephone in which a hinge assembly according to the present invention is used
- FIG. 8(A) is a plan view of the cellular telephone which is in an open position
- FIG. 8(B) is a side view of the cellular telephone
- FIG. 8(C) is an enlarged view of the area indicated by C of FIG. 8.
- FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on line X-X of FIG. 8(C), showing a first and a second receiving cylindrical portion in a before-state which the hinge assembly is inserted therein.
- FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line Y-Y of FIG. 8(C), showing a first and a second receiving cylindrical portion in a before-state which the hinge assembly is inserted therein.
- FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on line X-X of FIG. 8(C), showing a first and a second receiving cylindrical portion in a after-state which the hinge assembly is inserted therein.
- FIG. 12 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 1, showing a second embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention.
- FIG. 13 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 1, showing a third embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention
- FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a first turnable member in a fourth embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention.
- FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a second turnable member in a fourth embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention.
- FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a first turnable member in a fifth embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention.
- FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a second turnable member in a fifth embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention.
- FIG. 8 shows a foldable cellular telephone A in which a hinge assembly 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is used.
- This cellular telephone A includes a transmission section B provided at a front surface b thereof with a microphone and various keys (none of them are shown), and a reception section C provided at a front surface c with a liquid crystal display D and a speaker (not shown).
- the reception section C is turnably connected to the transmission section B about a rotation axis L by the hinge assembly 1 .
- the turning range of the reception section C is restricted between a closed position and an open position.
- the closed position is established by collision of the front surface c of the reception section C with the front surface b of the transmission section B.
- the open position is a location where the reception section C is turned about 160 degrees in a direction as indicated by an arrow of FIG. 8 from the closed position.
- This open position is established by a stopper mechanism (not shown) which is disposed between the transmission section B and the reception section C.
- Two first receiving cylindrical portions B 1 with their axes aligned with the rotation axis L are formed at that end portion of the transmission section B which is located on the reception section C side.
- the first receiving cylindrical portions B 1 , B 1 are arranged at opposite end portions of the transmission section B in the left and right directions.
- two second receiving cylindrical portions C 1 with their axes aligned with the rotation axis L are arranged at that end portion of the reception section C which is located on the transmission section B side.
- the second receiving cylindrical portions have a same inside diameter and a same outside diameter as the first receiving cylindrical portions B 1 .
- Each second receiving cylindrical portion C 1 is arranged such that its outer end face is generally in contact with the inner end face of each first receiving cylindrical portion B 1 .
- the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B 1 , C 1 which are adjacent to each other in the left and right directions, form one set.
- the hinge assembly 1 according to the present invention is, as shown in FIG. 11, received in the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B 1 , C 1 which form the first one set (the right set, in FIG. 8(A), in this embodiment).
- the first one set of first and second receiving cylindrical portions B 1 , C 1 are turnably connected to each other about the rotation axis L and thus, the transmission section B and the reception section C are turnably connected to each other.
- a known hinge assembly or shaft for merely turnably connecting the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B 1 , C 1 are received in the second one set of first and second receiving cylindrical portions B 1 , C 1 .
- the hinge assembly 1 according to the present invention may also be received in the second one set of the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B 1 , C 1 .
- the hinge assembly 1 comprises a hinge main body 2 , a first turnable member (turnable member) 3 and a first movable member (movable member) 4 which are arranged on the right side (left and right used hereinafter will refer to left and right in FIGS. 1 through 4), in FIG.
- this hinge main body 2 1, of this hinge main body 2 , a second turnable member 5 , a second movable member 6 and a fixed member 7 which are arranged on the left side of the hinge main body 2 , a connection shaft 8 for relatively non-movably and non-turnably connecting the first turnable member 3 , the second turnable member 5 and the fixed member 7 together, and a coiled spring (bias means) 9 inserted and held in the hinge main body 2 .
- the hinge main body 2 is formed as a circular cylindrical body whose opposite ends are open.
- Two key grooves 21 , 21 are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the hinge main body 2 .
- the respective key grooves 21 , 21 extend over the entire length of the hinge main body 2 and are arranged 180 degrees away from each other in the circumferential direction.
- a pair of guide grooves 22 are formed in each of the left and right end faces of the hinge main body 2 .
- the first pair of guide grooves 22 extend inwards from the left end face.
- the second pair of guide grooves 22 extend inwards from the right end face.
- the pair of guide grooves 22 , 22 are arranged 180 degrees away from each other in the circumferential direction of the hinge main body 2 and 90 degrees away from each key groove 21 .
- the hinge main body 2 is non-turnably connected to the first receiving cylindrical portion B 1 and thus, non-turnably connected to the transmission section B.
- the left end portion of the hinge main body 2 is turnably inserted in the outer end portion of the second receiving cylindrical portion C 1 .
- the first turnable member 3 is formed in a disc-like configuration, which is generally same in outside diameter as the hinge main body 2 .
- the first turnable member 3 is arranged such that its axis is aligned with the axis of the hinge main body 2 and it is generally in contact with the right end face of the hinge main body 2 .
- Two key grooves 31 , 31 are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the first turnable member 3 . Those two key grooves 31 , 31 are formed 180 degrees away from each other in the circumferential direction of the first turnable member 3 . In the case of this embodiment, formation of the key groove 31 is not necessarily required because of the reasons to be described hereinafter.
- the first movable member 4 comprises a disc portion 41 , and a pair of guide portions 42 , 42 which are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the disc portion 41 .
- the disc portion 41 is slidingly movably fitted to the inner periphery of the right end portion of the hinge main body 2 .
- the guide portions 42 , 42 are arranged 180 degrees away from each other in the circumferential direction of the disc portion 41 and extend from the disc portion 41 along its axis.
- the respective guide portions 42 , 42 are slidingly movably inserted in the guide grooves 22 , 22 on the right end side of the hinge main body 2 .
- the first movable member 4 is axially movably but non-turnably connected to the right end portion of the hinge main body 2 .
- the first movable member 4 is disposed opposite the left end face of the first turnable member 3 .
- the second turnable member 5 is formed in a disc-like configuration, which has an outside diameter generally equal to that of the hinge main body 2 .
- the second turnable member 5 is arranged such that its axis is aligned with the axis of the hinge main body 2 and generally in contact with the left end face of the hinge main body 2 .
- Two key grooves 51 , 51 are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the second turnable member 5 . Those two key grooves 51 , 51 are arranged 180 degrees away from each other in the circumferential direction of the second turnable member 5 .
- Each key groove 51 is same in configuration and dimension as the key groove 31 but it is set larger in width in the circumferential direction and in depth than the key groove 21 .
- the second turnable member 5 is inserted in the second receiving cylindrical portion C 1 .
- a pair of key portions C 3 , C 3 are formed at the inner peripheral surface of the second receiving cylindrical portion C 1 .
- the second turnable member 5 is non-turnably connected to the second receiving cylindrical portion C 1 and is turned in unison with the reception section C.
- the second movable member 6 is constructed in the same manner as the first movable member 4 only except that its orienting direction in the left and right directions is reversed to that of the first movable member 4 and it is disposed on the left end portion side of the hinge main body 2 . That is, the second movable member 6 also includes a disc portion 61 and a pair of guide portions 62 , 62 . Also, in the second movable member 6 , the disc portion 61 is slidingly movably fitted to the inner periphery of the left end portion of the hinge main body 2 , and the guide portions 62 , 62 are slidingly movably inserted in the guide grooves 22 , 22 on the left side of the hinge main body 2 . By this, the second movable member 6 is also axially movably but non-turnably connected to the hinge main body 2 . Moreover, the second movable member 6 is disposed opposite the right end face of the second turnable member 5 .
- the fixed member 7 includes a disc portion 71 and a neck portion 72 extending leftward from a central portion of the left end face of this disc portion 71 .
- the disc portion 71 has an outside diameter generally equal to that of the second turnable member 5 .
- the disc portion 71 is disposed such that its axis is aligned with that of the second turnable member 5 and is in contact with the left end face of the second turnable member 5 .
- a pair of recesses 73 , 73 are formed in the outer periphery of the disc portion 71 in such a manner as to be 180 degrees away from each other in the circumferential direction.
- the recess 73 is set slightly larger in width and depth than the key groove 51 of the second turnable member 5 .
- the neck portion 72 is set smaller in outside diameter than the disc portion 71 .
- a sandwichingly holding projection 7 and a tapered portion 75 which is gradually forwardly reduced in diameter is formed on a distal end portion of the neck portion 72 .
- the outside diameter of the sandwichingly holding portion 74 is also set to be smaller than that of the disc portion 71 but larger than that of the neck portion 72 .
- a plurality (four in this embodiment) of slits 76 extending from the distal end portion of the neck portion 72 to the disc portion 71 are formed in the neck portion 72 in such a manner as to be away from one another by an equal interval in the circumferential direction.
- the distal end portion of the neck portion 72 becomes elastically deformable in such a manner as to be swing about the basal end portion.
- the sandwichingly holding projection 74 and the tapered portion 75 can be enlarged/reduced in diameter.
- the fixed member 7 is inserted in the inner end portion of the second receiving cylindrical portion C 1 .
- An annular projection C 2 is formed at the inner end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the second receiving cylindrical portion B 1 .
- the inside diameter and the length in the axial direction of the annular projection C 2 are set to be generally equal to the outside diameter and the length of the neck portion 72 of the fixed member 7 . Accordingly, when the fixed member 7 is inserted in the second receiving cylindrical portion C 1 through its outer (on the side of the first receiving cylindrical portion B 1 ) opening portion first with the tapered portion 75 , the tapered portion 75 is collided with the end portion of the annular projection C 2 first.
- the fixed member 7 is positionally fixed to the second receiving cylindrical portion C 1 such that the fixed member 7 is non-movable in a direction of the rotation axis L and thus, the entire hinge assembly 1 is positionally non-movably fixed to the second receiving cylindrical portion C 1 .
- the fixed member 7 is never non-turnably connected to the second receiving cylindrical portion C 1 through the key portion C 3 because the width of the recess 73 is larger than the width of the key portion C 3 .
- the fixed member 7 is integrally connected to the second turnable member 5 through the connection shaft 8 as later described. Accordingly, the fixed member 7 is turned together with the reception section C.
- connection shaft 8 is disposed in such a manner as to align its axis with that of the hinge main body 2 .
- the connection shaft 8 includes, in order from its right end portion towards its left end portion, a disc-like head portion 81 , a sectionally regular square first fixed portion 82 formed at a central portion of the left end face of the head portion 81 , a sectionally circular shaft portion 83 having a radius smaller than the distance between the opposite sides of the first fixed portion 82 , a sectionally regular square second fixed portion 84 having a diagonal length generally equal to the outside diameter of the shaft portion 83 , and a sectionally regular square third fixed portion 83 of a size smaller than the second fixed portion 84 .
- Those various portions 81 through 85 are formed such that their axes are aligned with one another.
- the first fixed portion 82 of the connection shaft 8 is non-turnably fitted to a sectionally square throughhole 32 which is formed in a central portion of the first turnable member 3 .
- the first turnable member 3 is fixed to the connection shaft 8 .
- the right end portion and the left end portion of the shaft portion 83 of the connection shaft 8 are slidingly movably and turnably fitted to throughholes 43 , 63 which are formed in the central portions of the first and second movable members 4 , 6 , respectively.
- the second fixed portion 84 of the connection shaft 8 is non-turnably fitted to a throughhole 52 which is formed in the central portion of the second turnable member 5
- the third fixed member 85 is non-turnably fitted to a throughhole 77 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) which is formed in the central portion of the disc portion 71 of the fixed member 7 .
- the fixed portion 7 is urged against the second turnable member 5 and in addition, the second turnable member 5 is urged against a stepped surface 86 which is formed between the shaft portion 83 and the second fixed portion 84 .
- first turnable member 3 and the second turnable member 5 generally sandwichingly hold the hinge main body 2 from the opposite sides, thereby the entire hinge assembly 1 is unitized.
- first and second turnable members 3 , 5 are non-turnably and non-movably connected to each other through the connection shaft 8 .
- the coiled spring 9 is disposed in a space between the inner peripheral surface of the hinge main body 2 and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 83 . This coiled spring 9 is placed in its compressed state. One end of the coiled spring 9 is in abutment with the first movable member 4 and the other end is in abutment with the second movable member 6 . Accordingly, by the biasing force of the coiled spring 9 , the first movable member 4 is caused to abut with the first turnable member 3 and the second movable member 6 is caused to abut with the second turnable member 5 .
- a first and a second conversion mechanism 100 , 200 for converting the biasing force of the coiled spring 9 into a force for turning the first turnable member 3 are disposed between the abutment surfaces of the first turnable member 3 and the first movable member 4 .
- a third and a fourth conversion mechanism 300 , 400 for converting the biasing force of the coiled spring 9 into a force for turning the second turnable member 5 are disposed between the second turnable member 5 and the second movable member 6 .
- a pair of balls 101 , 102 are turnably disposed at the right end face of the first movable member 4 which is located opposite the first turnable member 3 .
- the balls 101 , 102 each have a same outside diameter and are arranged on a circumference about the axis of the first movable member 4 in such a manner as to be 180 degrees away from each other in the circumferential direction.
- a generally semi-spherical projection or mere projection may be integrally formed on the first movable member 4 .
- a pair of engaging recesses 103 , 104 having a mutually same configuration and a mutually same dimension are, as shown in FIG. 7, formed in the left end face of the first turnable member 3 which is located opposite the first movable member 4 .
- the pair of engaging recesses 103 , 104 are arranged on a circumference about the axis of the first turnable member 3 in such a manner as to be 180 degrees away from each other in the circumferential direction.
- the circumference on which the pair of engaging recesses 103 , 104 are arranged has a same diameter as the circumference on which the balls 101 , 102 are arranged. As shown in FIG.
- the radius of curvature of the engaging recesses 103 , 104 in a section (section including the radial line of the first turnable member 3 ) which is orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the first turnable member 3 is set to be equal or slightly larger than the outside diameter of the balls 101 , 102 .
- the length (radius of curvature) of the engaging recesses 103 , 104 in the circumferential direction of the first turnable member 3 is, as shown in FIG. 7(C), set to be longer than the radius of the balls 101 , 102 .
- each engaging recess 103 , 104 is largest at the central portion, i.e., central portion in the circumferential direction of the first turnable member 3 and is gradually reduced in the circumferential direction of the first turnable member 3 .
- the depth of each engaging recess 103 , 104 is slightly smaller even at the deepest portion than the radius of each ball 101 , 102 .
- the first turnable member 3 Since the depth of the engaging recesses 103 , 104 is largest at the central portion, when the balls 101 , 102 are located at the central portions of the engaging recesses 103 , 104 , the first turnable member 3 is merely pushed rightwards by the coiled spring 9 through both the fist movable member 4 and balls 101 , 102 and is never turn biased. Accordingly, the first turnable member 3 is held in a constant turning position without turning. In that state, the key groove 31 of the first turnable member 3 , the key groove 51 of the second turnable member 5 and the recess 73 of the fixed member 7 are located on the same circumference as the key groove 21 of the hinge main body 2 .
- the radius of curvature in a section in the circumferential direction of the engaging recesses 103 , 104 is set to be larger than the radius of the balls 101 , 102 , when the balls 101 , 102 are displaced from the central portions of the engaging recesses 103 , 104 in the circumferential direction, the balls 101 , 102 come to contact with the inclination portions which form parts of the bottom surfaces of the engaging recesses 103 , 104 .
- the first tunable member 3 is turn biased by the coiled spring 9 through the first movable member 4 . That is, as shown in FIG.
- the first turnable member 3 When the first turnable member 3 is turned about 140 degrees to 150 degrees in a direction as indicated by an arrow Y from a state in which the balls 101 , 102 are in contact with the first inclination surfaces 105 , 106 , respectively, the balls 101 , 102 are rollingly moved within the guide grooves 33 , 34 which are formed between the engaging recesses 103 , 104 , and then brought into the engaging recesses 104 , 103 , respectively. Then, the balls 101 , 102 are contacted with the second inclination surfaces 108 , 107 , respectively.
- the biasing force of the coiled spring 9 is converted into a turn biasing force for turn biasing the first turnable member 3 in a direction (opening direction) as indicated by an arrow Y.
- the first turnable member 3 is turn biased in the opening direction.
- the balls 101 , 102 are in contact with the second inclination surfaces 108 , 107 , respectively, when the first turnable member 3 is turned 140 degrees to 150 degrees in a direction as indicated by an arrow X, the balls 101 , 102 are brought into contact with the first inclination surfaces 105 , 106 via the guide grooves 33 , 34 , respectively.
- the first conversion mechanism 100 is constructed by the balls 101 , 102 and the first inclination surfaces 105 , 106
- the second conversion mechanism 200 is constructed by the balls 101 , 102 and the second inclination surfaces 107 , 108 .
- a third and a fourth conversion mechanism 300 , 400 which are disposed between the second turnable member 5 and the second movable member 6 are constructed in the same manner as the first and the second conversion mechanism 100 , 200 , respectively.
- the first conversion mechanism 100 turns the first turnable member 3 in the closing direction (direction as indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 7)
- the third conversion mechanism 300 turns the second turnable member 5 in the direction as indicated by the arrow X
- the fourth conversion mechanism 400 turns the second turnable member 5 in a direction as indicated by the arrow Y. Therefore, detailed description of the third and fourth conversion mechanisms 300 , 400 is omitted.
- the axes of the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B 1 , C 1 are aligned with the rotation axis L. Then, the key portion B 2 of the first receiving cylindrical portion B 1 and the key portion C 3 of the second receiving cylindrical portion C 1 are linearly arranged. This can be achieved by turning the transmission section B and the reception section C about 180 degrees from the closed position. On the other hand, with respect to the hinge assembly 1 , the balls 101 , 102 are brought to the central portions of the engaging recesses 103 , 104 , respectively. Then, as shown in FIGS.
- the key groove 21 of the hinge main body 2 , the key grooves 31 , 51 of the first and second turnable members 3 , 5 and the recess 73 of the fixed member 7 are aligned.
- the positioning alignment of the key grooves 21 , 31 , 51 and the recess 73 in the circumferential direction is made with respect to the key portions B 2 , C 3 .
- the hinge assembly 1 is inserted in the first receiving cylindrical portion B 1 and the second receiving cylindrical portion C 1 through the outer opening portion of the first receiving cylindrical portion B 1 first with the fixed member 7 .
- the hinge assembly 1 When the hinge assembly 1 has been inserted into the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B 1 , C 1 until it reaches a predetermined position shown in FIG. 11, the disc portion 71 and the sandwichingly holding projection 74 of the fixed member 7 sandwichingly hold the annular projection C 2 of the second receiving cylindrical portion C 1 .
- the hinge assembly 1 is positionally fixed to the second receiving cylindrical portion C 1 and prevented from escaping from the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B 1 , C 1 .
- most part of the right side of the hinge main body 2 is non-turnably fitted to the first receiving cylindrical portion B 1 , and the end portion of the left side of the hinge main body 2 is turnably fitted to the second receiving cylindrical portion C 1 .
- the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B 1 , C 1 are turnably connected to each other and thus, the transmission section B and the reception section C are turnably connected to each other.
- the second turnable member 5 is non-turnably connected to the second receiving cylindrical portion C 1 and thus, non-turnably connected to the reception section C.
- the first turnable member 3 is non-turnably connected to the second turnable member 5 through the connection shaft 8 , it is also non-turnably connected to the reception section C.
- the key portion B 2 of the first receiving cylindrical portion B 1 is never fitted in the key groove 31 of the first turnable member 3 . Accordingly, the first turnable member 3 is turnable with respect to the first receiving cylindrical portion B 1 . Thus, there is no need of formation of the key groove 31 .
- the reception section C is turned a predetermined angle, for example, about 20 degrees, towards the closed position side with respect to the transmission section B. By doing so, the reception section C is located at the open position. Thereafter, a stopper mechanism is attached between the transmission section B and the transmission section C, so that the reception section C is prevented from turning from the closed position side towards the open position side beyond the open position.
- the reception section C In a state in which the reception section C is located in the open position, the balls 101 , 102 are in contact with the second inclination surfaces 108 , 107 , respectively, and the reception section C is turn biased from the closed position side towards the open position side by the biasing force of the coiled spring 9 . As a consequence, the reception section C is held in the open position.
- the reception section C When the reception section C is turned a predetermined angle, for example, about 10 to 20 degrees towards the closed position side against the biasing force of the coiled spring 9 , the balls 101 , 102 are brought out of the engaging recesses 104 , 103 and rollingly moved within the guide grooves 33 , 34 , respectively. In that state, since no turn biasing force acts on the reception section C, the reception section C can be stopped at any desired position.
- the reception section C When the reception section C is turned a predetermined angle, for example, 140 degrees to 150 degrees from the open position, the balls 101 , 102 are brought into the engaging recesses 103 , 104 and contacted with the first inclination surfaces 105 , 106 , respectively. As a consequence, the reception section C is turn biased from the open position side towards the closed position side by the biasing force of the coiled spring 9 through the first and third conversion mechanisms 100 , 300 . By this turn biasing force, the reception section C is turned until its front surface c is collided with the front surface b of the transmission section B and held in the closed position.
- FIG. 12 shows a second embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention.
- the outside diameter of the head portion 81 of the connection shaft 8 is set to be generally equal to that of the hinge main body 2 , and this head portion 81 is also used as the first turnable member (turnable member).
- the engaging recesses 103 , 104 and the guide grooves 33 , 34 are formed at the left end face of the head portion 81 which is located opposite the first movable member 4 . All the remaining construction is same as above-mentioned hinge assembly 1 .
- this hinge assembly 1 ′ since the head portion 81 is also used as the first turnable member, the number of the component parts can be reduced to that extent, and thus, the manufacturing cost of the hinge assembly 1 ′ can be reduced.
- FIG. 13 shows a third embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention.
- the second turnable member 5 and the fixed member 7 are integral with the connection shaft 8 . That is, a sectionally circular composite portion 87 is formed on the left end portion, in FIG. 13, of the connection shaft 8 such that its axis is aligned with that of the connection shaft 8 .
- This composite portion 87 is also used as the second turnable member 5 and the disc portion 71 of the fixed member 7 . Accordingly, the outside diameter of the composite portion 87 is set to be equal to those of the second turnable member 5 and the disc portion 71 .
- the third and fourth conversion mechanisms 300 , 400 are disposed.
- a key groove (not shown) having a same depth and a same width as the key groove 51 is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the composite portion 87 such that the key groove traverses the composite portion 87 in the axial direction of the composite portion 87 .
- a neck portion 72 is formed at the left end face of the composite portion 87 .
- the annular projection 74 is formed at the distal end portion of the neck portion 72
- the slits 76 are formed in the annular projection 74 and the neck portion 72 .
- the first turnable member 3 is non-turnably connected to the right end portion of the connection shaft 8 , and the first turnable member 3 is prevented from escaping rightwards, in FIG. 13, from the connection shaft 8 by the stopper 10 . All the remaining construction is same as the above hinge assembly 1 .
- the hinge assembly 1 ′′ of this third embodiment since the second turnable member 5 and the fixed member 7 are integrally disposed at the connection shaft 8 , the number of component parts can further be reduced than that of the hinge assembly 1 ′ of the second embodiment and thus, the manufacturing cost can further be reduced.
- a fourth embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention will be described next.
- a first turnable member 3 ′ of FIG. 14 is used instead of the above first turnable member 3
- a second turnable member 5 ′ of FIG. 15 is used instead of the above second turnable member 5 .
- All the remaining construction is same as the above hinge assembly. Therefore, in this embodiment, only the first and second turnable members 3 ′, 5 ′, particularly only those constructions which are different from the first and second turnable members 3 , 5 will be described.
- First fitting recesses 111 , 112 are formed in that surface of the first turnable member 3 ′ where the engaging recesses 103 , 104 are formed. At least one each of the first fitting recesses 111 , 112 are formed. Moreover, the number of the first fitting recesses 111 is equal to that of the first fitting recesses 112 . In this embodiment, the number of the first fitting recesses 111 , 112 is equally three.
- the first fitting recesses 111 each have a bottom surface whose radius of curvature is generally equal to the radius of the ball 101 so that the ball 101 is detachably fitted thereto. Moreover, the respective first fitting recesses 111 are arranged on the same circumference on which the engaging recesses 103 , 104 are arranged. Accordingly, when the first turnable member 3 ′ is turned about its axis, the ball 101 is sequentially fitted to the respective first fitting recesses 111 in accordance with the turning motion of the first turnable member 3 ′.
- That first fitting recess 111 of all the first fitting recesses 111 which is located nearest to the engaging recess 103 is arranged such that when the first turnable member 3 ′ is turned a predetermined angle ⁇ 1 from the closed position, the ball 101 is fitted to the specific first fitting recess 111 .
- the diameter of the first fitting recess 111 at the outer surface of the first turnable member 3 ′ is set to be longer than the length corresponding to the angle ⁇ 1 of the circumference on which the fitting recesses 111 are arranged. As a consequence, the end portions of the adjacent first fitting recesses 111 , 111 in the circumferential direction of the first turnable member 3 ′ are overlapped with each other.
- the first fitting recesses 112 each have a bottom surface whose radius of curvature is generally equal to the radius of the ball 102 so that the ball 102 is detachably fitted thereto. Moreover, the first fitting recesses 112 are point symmetrically arranged with the corresponding first fitting recesses 111 with respect to the axis of the first turnable member 3 ′. Accordingly, at the position where the first turnable member 3 ′ is turned by an angle ⁇ 1 from the closed position and at those positions where the first turnable member 3 ′ is turned further therefrom by an angle ⁇ 1 each time, the ball 102 is fitted to the respective fitting recesses 112 .
- Second fitting recesses (second recesses) 113 , 114 are formed in that surface of the second turnable member 5 ′ where the engaging recesses 103 , 104 are formed.
- the number of the second fitting recesses 113 , 114 is equal to that of the fitting recesses 111 , 112 . Accordingly, the number of each of the second fitting recesses 113 , 114 is three in this embodiment.
- the second fitting recess 113 which is located nearest to the engaging recess 103 , is arranged away from the closed position by a predetermined angle ⁇ 2.
- the second fitting recesses 114 each are arranged in such a manner as to be displaced in phase by ⁇ 1/2 with respect to the first fitting recesses 112 . All the remaining construction of the second fitting recesses 113 , 114 is same as the first fitting recesses 111 , 112 .
- the balls 101 , 102 are contacted with the second inclination surfaces 107 , 108 of the engaging recesses 103 , 104 , respectively, thereby reaching the open position.
- the balls 101 , 102 are fitted to the first fitting recesses 111 , 112 and the second fitting recesses 113 , 114 in the reverse order from the above case.
- the first fitting recesses 111 , 112 and the second fitting recesses 113 , 114 are arranged between the engaging recesses 103 , 104 , by fitting the balls 101 , 102 to the first fitting recesses 113 , 114 and the second fitting recesses 113 , 114 , respectively, the first and second turnable members 3 ′, 5 ′ can be stopped with a feel of click and thus, the reception section C can be stopped with a feel of click.
- first fitting recesses 111 , 112 and the second fitting recesses 113 , 114 are arranged in such a manner as to be displaced in phase so that the first fitting recesses 111 , 112 and the second fitting recesses 113 , 114 are mutually located at an intermediate position, the number of positions where the reception section C is stopped can be increased.
- the first fitting recesses 111 , 112 and the second fitting recesses 113 , 114 may be arranged in the same positions in the circumferential direction of the first and second turnable members 3 ′, 5 ′. In case an arrangement is made in that way, since the balls 101 , 102 are simultaneously fitted to the first fitting recesses 111 , 112 and the second fitting recesses 113 , 114 , the first and second turnable members 3 ′, 5 ′ and the reception section C can be stopped with a stronger feel of click. This is also true in the next embodiment which is to be described hereinafter.
- FIGS. 16 and 17 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- This embodiment is a modification of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 .
- a first turnable member 3 ′′ shown in FIG. 16 is used instead of the first turnable member 3 ′ and a second turnable member 5 ′′ shown in FIG. 17 is used instead of the second turnable member 5 ′. All the remaining construction is same as the hinge assembly 1 . Therefore, only the first and second turnable members 3 ′′, 5 ′′ will be described in this embodiment.
- a plural pieces each of first fitting recesses 111 , 112 are also formed in the first turnable member 3 ′′.
- two pieces each of the first fitting recesses 111 , 112 are formed.
- the first fitting recesses 111 , 111 are arranged away from one another by an angle ⁇ 2 in the circumferential direction.
- the angle ⁇ 2 is set such that the length corresponding to the angle ⁇ 2 of the circumference on which the fitting recesses 111 are arranged, is longer than the diameter of the first fitting recess 111 .
- first fitting recesses 111 , 111 each as an entirety are located away from each other without allowing their end portions in the circumferential direction of the first turnable member 3 ′′ to be overlapped with each other.
- the first fitting recesses 112 are, likewise, arranged away by an angle ⁇ 2 in the circumferential direction of the second turnable member 5 ′′.
- each of the second fitting recesses 113 , 114 are formed in the second turnable member 5 ′′.
- two pieces each of the second fitting recesses 113 , 114 are formed.
- the second fitting recesses 113 , 114 are arranged such that they are located away from each other by an angle ⁇ 2 in the circumferential direction of the second turnable member 5 ′′ and they are displaced in phase by an angle ⁇ 2/2 with respect to the first fitting recesses 111 , 112 .
- the hinge assembly 1 according to the present invention is applied to the cellular telephone A.
- the hinge assembly 1 can likewise be used between other two goods which are to be turnably connected to each other.
- both the first and second turnable members 3 , 5 or only the first turnable member 3 may be non-turnably connected to the reception section C.
- a receiving cylindrical portion which is located adjacent to the right end face of the first receiving cylindrical portion B 1 of the transmission section B, is formed at the reception section C, a key portion is formed at this receiving cylindrical portion, and the key portion is fitted to the key groove 31 of the third turnable member 3 .
- the hinge assembly 1 is used in the cellular telephone A. Therefore, although the first inclination surfaces (cam faces) 105 , 106 for converting the biasing force of the coiled spring 9 into a turn biasing force for turn biasing the first turnable member 3 (second turnable member 5 ) towards the closed position side and the second inclination surfaces (cam faces) 107 , 108 for converting the biasing force of the coiled spring 9 into a turn biasing force for turning the first turnable member 3 (second turnable member 5 ) towards the open position side are used, only one of them may be used.
- the hinge assembly according to the present invention can be used as a hinge assembly for interconnecting two goods such as a main body and a cover member of a cellular telephone and a personal computer, and for turn biasing one of the two goods into a predetermined turning position.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a hinge assembly (1) in which a projection and a cam face for converting a biasing force of bias means (9) into a turn biasing force for turning a turnable member (3) disposed at one end portion of a hinge main body (2) in one direction are disposed between the turnable member (3) and a movable member (4) disposed at the hinge main body (2) in such a manner as to be non-turnable but movable in the axial direction, wherein a second movable member (6) and a second turnable member (5) are disposed at the other end portion of the hinge main body (2), and a second projection and a second cam face for converting a biasing force of the bias means (9) in the same direction as the above-mentioned turn biasing force are disposed between the second movable member (6) and the second turnable member (5). Since two converting portions for converting the biasing force of the bias means into a turn biasing force in the manner as mentioned above are provided, insufficiency of the turn biasing force never occurs.
Description
- This invention relates to a hinge assembly suited to be used for a foldable cellular telephone, and the like, and more particularly to a hinge assembly capable of enlarging the turn biasing force.
- In general, a hinge assembly of this type comprises a circular cylindrical hinge main body, a turnable member turnably but non-movably connected to one end portion of the hinge main body, a movable member movably but non-turnably provided on the hinge main body and disposed opposite the turnable member, and bias means for urging this movable member so as to abut with the turnable member. One of the abutment surfaces of the turnable member and the movable member is provided with a closing direction cam face and an opening direction cam face which are disposed away from each other by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction. The other abutment surface is provided with a first projection which contacts the closing direction cam face in the vicinity of the closed position and a second projection which contacts the opening direction cam face in the vicinity of the open position.
- When the hinge assembly thus constructed is to be used in a foldable cellular telephone, one of the hinge main body and the turnable member is non-turnably connected to a transmission section of the cellular telephone and the other is non-turnably connected to a reception section. When the reception section is located in the vicinity of the closed position, the biasing force of the bias means is converted into a turn biasing force in the closing direction by both the closing direction cam face and first projection. By this turn biasing force, the reception section is turn biased toward the closed position side and held in the closed position where the reception section is in collision with the transmission section. On the other hand, when the reception section is located in the vicinity of the open position, the biasing force of the bias means is converted into a turn biasing force in the opening direction by both the closing direction cam face and second projection. By this turn biasing force, the reception section is held in the open position (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H07-11831 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-65778).
- When the hinge assembly is to be attached to the cellular telephone, it is the normal practice that one each of the hinge assemblies is attached to one and the other end portions of the transmission section and the reception section in a direction of the rotation axis. And the reception section is turned with respective to the transmission section through the two hinge assemblies. However, it is inevitable for such two hinge assemblies to have manufacturing errors and attaching errors. Due to those errors, the turnable members of the two hinge assemblies are often slightly displaced in phase. When such displacement in phase should occur, the timing for those two hinge assemblies to start turning of the reception section in the closing or opening direction would be slid, even if one of the hinge assemblies should turn bias the reception section with a turn biasing force of a designed value, the other hinge assembly would turn bias the reception section only with a smaller force than the designed value. As a consequence, the turn biasing force for turning the reception section becomes insufficient in some instances.
- Moreover, there would be some cases where the hinge assembly can be attached to only one end side and only a bearing can be attached to the other end side. In those cases, since the reception section is turn biased only by one hinge assembly, the turn biasing force applicable to the receptions section becomes more insufficient.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a hinge assembly in which only one hinge assembly, when used in a cellular telephone, for example, can turn the reception section sufficiently. In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a hinge assembly comprising a hinge main body, a turnable member turnably disposed at one end side of the hinge main body, a movable member disposed at one end portion of the hinge main body such that the turnable member is movable in a direction of a rotation axis of the turnable member but non-turnable and arranged opposite that end face of the turnable member which is oriented towards the other end side of the hinge main body, and bias means for urging the movable member so as to abut with the turnable member, one of abutment surfaces of the turnable member and the movable member being provided with a projection and the other abutment surface being provided with a cam face for converting a biasing force of the bias means into a turn biasing force for turning the turnable member in one direction by abutment of the cam face with the projection when the turnable member is turned into a predetermined position, characterized in that the hinge assembly further comprises a second turnable member turnably disposed at the other end side of the hinge main body with an axis thereof aligned with the turnable member and non-turnably connected to the turnable member, and a second movable member disposed at the other end portion of the hinge main body such that the second movable member is movable in a direction of a rotation axis of the second turnable member but non-turnable and urged by the bias means so as to abut with that end face of the second turnable member which is oriented towards one end side of the hinge main body, one of abutment surfaces of the second turnable member and the second movable member being provided with a second projection and the other abutment surface being provided with a second cam face for converting a biasing force of the bias means into a turn biasing force which acts in the same direction as the turn biasing force converted by the cam face when the turnable member is turned into the predetermined position.
- It is preferred that the turnable member and the second turnable member are non-turnably and non-movably disposed at opposite end portions of a connection shaft which is turnably pierced through the hinge main body. It is more preferred that one of the turnable member and the second turnable member is integrally formed on the connection shaft.
- Preferably, a fitting recess for allowing the projection to be detachably fitted therein in accordance with relative turning motion of the turnable member and the movable member is formed in that abutment surface of the abutment surfaces of the turnable member and the movable member on which the cam face is formed, and a second fitting recess for allowing the second projection to be detachably fitted therein in accordance with relative turning motion of the second turnable member and the second movable member is formed in that abutment surface of the abutment surfaces of the second turnable member and the second movable member on which the cam face is formed. It is also preferable that a plurality of the fitting recesses are formed, the fitting recesses are arranged on a circumference about the axis of the turnable member in such a manner as to be away from one another, a plurality of the second fitting recesses are formed, the second fitting recesses are arranged on a circumference about the axis of the second turnable member in such a manner as to be away from one another.
- It is also accepted that the fitting recesses and the second fitting recesses are arranged in such a manner as to have mutually different phases in the circumferential directions of the turnable member and the second turnable member, so that the fitting recesses and the second fitting recesses are alternately located in the circumferential directions, or that the fitting recesses and the second fitting recesses are arranged in such a manner as to have a mutually same phase in the circumferential directions of the turnable member and the second turnable member.
- FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken on line X-X of FIG. 3, showing a first embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line X-X of FIG. 4, showing the above hinge assembly.
- FIG. 3 is a front view of the above hinge assembly.
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of the above hinge assembly.
- FIG. 5 is a view when viewed in a direction as indicated by an arrow Y of FIG. 3.
- FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the above hinge assembly.
- FIG. 7 is an illustration showing a first tunable member of the above hinge assembly, FIG. 7(A) is a plan view thereof, FIG. 7(B) is a sectional view taken on line B-B of FIG. 7(A), FIG. 7(C) is an enlarged sectional view taken on line C-C of FIG. 7(A), and FIG. 7(D) is an enlarged view of the area indicated by D of FIG. 7(B).
- FIG. 8 is an illustration showing a cellular telephone in which a hinge assembly according to the present invention is used, FIG. 8(A) is a plan view of the cellular telephone which is in an open position, FIG. 8(B) is a side view of the cellular telephone, and FIG. 8(C) is an enlarged view of the area indicated by C of FIG. 8.
- FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on line X-X of FIG. 8(C), showing a first and a second receiving cylindrical portion in a before-state which the hinge assembly is inserted therein.
- FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line Y-Y of FIG. 8(C), showing a first and a second receiving cylindrical portion in a before-state which the hinge assembly is inserted therein.
- FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on line X-X of FIG. 8(C), showing a first and a second receiving cylindrical portion in a after-state which the hinge assembly is inserted therein.
- FIG. 12 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 1, showing a second embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention.
- FIG. 13 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 1, showing a third embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention
- FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a first turnable member in a fourth embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention.
- FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a second turnable member in a fourth embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention.
- FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a first turnable member in a fifth embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention.
- FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a second turnable member in a fifth embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention.
- Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 1 through 17. FIG. 8 shows a foldable cellular telephone A in which a
hinge assembly 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is used. This cellular telephone A includes a transmission section B provided at a front surface b thereof with a microphone and various keys (none of them are shown), and a reception section C provided at a front surface c with a liquid crystal display D and a speaker (not shown). The reception section C is turnably connected to the transmission section B about a rotation axis L by thehinge assembly 1. The turning range of the reception section C is restricted between a closed position and an open position. The closed position is established by collision of the front surface c of the reception section C with the front surface b of the transmission section B. The open position is a location where the reception section C is turned about 160 degrees in a direction as indicated by an arrow of FIG. 8 from the closed position. This open position is established by a stopper mechanism (not shown) which is disposed between the transmission section B and the reception section C. - Two first receiving cylindrical portions B1 with their axes aligned with the rotation axis L are formed at that end portion of the transmission section B which is located on the reception section C side. The first receiving cylindrical portions B1, B1 are arranged at opposite end portions of the transmission section B in the left and right directions. On the other hand, two second receiving cylindrical portions C1 with their axes aligned with the rotation axis L are arranged at that end portion of the reception section C which is located on the transmission section B side. The second receiving cylindrical portions have a same inside diameter and a same outside diameter as the first receiving cylindrical portions B1. Each second receiving cylindrical portion C1 is arranged such that its outer end face is generally in contact with the inner end face of each first receiving cylindrical portion B1. The first and second receiving cylindrical portions B1, C1, which are adjacent to each other in the left and right directions, form one set. The
hinge assembly 1 according to the present invention is, as shown in FIG. 11, received in the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B1, C1 which form the first one set (the right set, in FIG. 8(A), in this embodiment). By thishinge assembly 1, the first one set of first and second receiving cylindrical portions B1, C1 are turnably connected to each other about the rotation axis L and thus, the transmission section B and the reception section C are turnably connected to each other. A known hinge assembly or shaft for merely turnably connecting the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B1, C1 are received in the second one set of first and second receiving cylindrical portions B1, C1. Of course, thehinge assembly 1 according to the present invention may also be received in the second one set of the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B1, C1. - As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, the
hinge assembly 1 comprises a hingemain body 2, a first turnable member (turnable member) 3 and a first movable member (movable member) 4 which are arranged on the right side (left and right used hereinafter will refer to left and right in FIGS. 1 through 4), in FIG. 1, of this hingemain body 2, a secondturnable member 5, a secondmovable member 6 and a fixedmember 7 which are arranged on the left side of the hingemain body 2, aconnection shaft 8 for relatively non-movably and non-turnably connecting the firstturnable member 3, the secondturnable member 5 and the fixedmember 7 together, and a coiled spring (bias means) 9 inserted and held in the hingemain body 2. - The hinge
main body 2 is formed as a circular cylindrical body whose opposite ends are open. Twokey grooves main body 2. The respectivekey grooves main body 2 and are arranged 180 degrees away from each other in the circumferential direction. A pair ofguide grooves 22 are formed in each of the left and right end faces of the hingemain body 2. The first pair ofguide grooves 22 extend inwards from the left end face. The second pair ofguide grooves 22 extend inwards from the right end face. The pair ofguide grooves main body 2 and 90 degrees away from eachkey groove 21. - As shown in FIG. 11, the most part of the right side of the hinge
main body 2 is inserted in the first receiving cylindrical portion B1. By fitting key portions B2, B2, which are formed at the inner peripheral surface of the first receiving cylindrical portion B1, in thekey grooves main body 2, the hingemain body 2 is non-turnably connected to the first receiving cylindrical portion B1 and thus, non-turnably connected to the transmission section B. The left end portion of the hingemain body 2 is turnably inserted in the outer end portion of the second receiving cylindrical portion C1. By this, the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B1, C1 are turnably connected to each other through the hingemain body 2, and the transmission section B and the reception section C are turnably connected to each other through the rotation axis L. - The first
turnable member 3 is formed in a disc-like configuration, which is generally same in outside diameter as the hingemain body 2. The firstturnable member 3 is arranged such that its axis is aligned with the axis of the hingemain body 2 and it is generally in contact with the right end face of the hingemain body 2. Twokey grooves turnable member 3. Those twokey grooves turnable member 3. In the case of this embodiment, formation of thekey groove 31 is not necessarily required because of the reasons to be described hereinafter. - The first
movable member 4 comprises adisc portion 41, and a pair ofguide portions disc portion 41. Thedisc portion 41 is slidingly movably fitted to the inner periphery of the right end portion of the hingemain body 2. On the other hand, theguide portions disc portion 41 and extend from thedisc portion 41 along its axis. Therespective guide portions guide grooves main body 2. By this, the firstmovable member 4 is axially movably but non-turnably connected to the right end portion of the hingemain body 2. Moreover, the firstmovable member 4 is disposed opposite the left end face of the firstturnable member 3. - The second
turnable member 5 is formed in a disc-like configuration, which has an outside diameter generally equal to that of the hingemain body 2. The secondturnable member 5 is arranged such that its axis is aligned with the axis of the hingemain body 2 and generally in contact with the left end face of the hingemain body 2. Twokey grooves turnable member 5. Those twokey grooves turnable member 5. Eachkey groove 51 is same in configuration and dimension as thekey groove 31 but it is set larger in width in the circumferential direction and in depth than thekey groove 21. - As shown in FIG. 11, the second
turnable member 5 is inserted in the second receiving cylindrical portion C1. A pair of key portions C3, C3 are formed at the inner peripheral surface of the second receiving cylindrical portion C1. By fitting the pair of key portions C3, C3 in thekey grooves turnable member 5, respectively, the secondturnable member 5 is non-turnably connected to the second receiving cylindrical portion C1 and is turned in unison with the reception section C. - The second
movable member 6 is constructed in the same manner as the firstmovable member 4 only except that its orienting direction in the left and right directions is reversed to that of the firstmovable member 4 and it is disposed on the left end portion side of the hingemain body 2. That is, the secondmovable member 6 also includes adisc portion 61 and a pair ofguide portions movable member 6, thedisc portion 61 is slidingly movably fitted to the inner periphery of the left end portion of the hingemain body 2, and theguide portions guide grooves main body 2. By this, the secondmovable member 6 is also axially movably but non-turnably connected to the hingemain body 2. Moreover, the secondmovable member 6 is disposed opposite the right end face of the secondturnable member 5. - The fixed
member 7 includes adisc portion 71 and aneck portion 72 extending leftward from a central portion of the left end face of thisdisc portion 71. Thedisc portion 71 has an outside diameter generally equal to that of the secondturnable member 5. Thedisc portion 71 is disposed such that its axis is aligned with that of the secondturnable member 5 and is in contact with the left end face of the secondturnable member 5. A pair ofrecesses disc portion 71 in such a manner as to be 180 degrees away from each other in the circumferential direction. Therecess 73 is set slightly larger in width and depth than thekey groove 51 of the secondturnable member 5. On the other hand, theneck portion 72 is set smaller in outside diameter than thedisc portion 71. Asandwichingly holding projection 7 and a taperedportion 75 which is gradually forwardly reduced in diameter is formed on a distal end portion of theneck portion 72. The outside diameter of thesandwichingly holding portion 74 is also set to be smaller than that of thedisc portion 71 but larger than that of theneck portion 72. A plurality (four in this embodiment) ofslits 76 extending from the distal end portion of theneck portion 72 to thedisc portion 71 are formed in theneck portion 72 in such a manner as to be away from one another by an equal interval in the circumferential direction. By forming thoseslits 76, the distal end portion of theneck portion 72 becomes elastically deformable in such a manner as to be swing about the basal end portion. By this, thesandwichingly holding projection 74 and the taperedportion 75 can be enlarged/reduced in diameter. - As shown in FIG. 11, the fixed
member 7 is inserted in the inner end portion of the second receiving cylindrical portion C1. An annular projection C2 is formed at the inner end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the second receiving cylindrical portion B1. The inside diameter and the length in the axial direction of the annular projection C2 are set to be generally equal to the outside diameter and the length of theneck portion 72 of the fixedmember 7. Accordingly, when the fixedmember 7 is inserted in the second receiving cylindrical portion C1 through its outer (on the side of the first receiving cylindrical portion B1) opening portion first with the taperedportion 75, the taperedportion 75 is collided with the end portion of the annular projection C2 first. In that state, when the fixedmember 7 is further inserted in the second receiving cylindrical portion C1, theneck portion 72 is elastically deformed, and the taperedportion 75 and thesandwichingly holding projection 74 are reduced in diameter. When thesandwichingly holding projection 74 has passed the annular projection C2, theneck portion 72 is returned to its original state and thesandwichingly holding projection 74 is enlarged in diameter until it has the original diameter. As a consequence, both thesandwichingly holding projection 74 anddisc portion 71 sandwichingly hold the annular projection C2. By this, the fixedmember 7 is positionally fixed to the second receiving cylindrical portion C1 such that the fixedmember 7 is non-movable in a direction of the rotation axis L and thus, theentire hinge assembly 1 is positionally non-movably fixed to the second receiving cylindrical portion C1. - Although the key portions C3, C3 are inserted in the
recesses member 7, the fixedmember 7 is never non-turnably connected to the second receiving cylindrical portion C1 through the key portion C3 because the width of therecess 73 is larger than the width of the key portion C3. However, the fixedmember 7 is integrally connected to the secondturnable member 5 through theconnection shaft 8 as later described. Accordingly, the fixedmember 7 is turned together with the reception section C. - The first
turnable member 3, the firstmovable member 4, the hingemain body 2, the secondmovable member 6, the secondturnable member 5 and the fixedmember 7 are mutually connected through theconnection shaft 8. That is, theconnection shaft 8 is disposed in such a manner as to align its axis with that of the hingemain body 2. Theconnection shaft 8 includes, in order from its right end portion towards its left end portion, a disc-like head portion 81, a sectionally regular square first fixedportion 82 formed at a central portion of the left end face of thehead portion 81, a sectionallycircular shaft portion 83 having a radius smaller than the distance between the opposite sides of the first fixedportion 82, a sectionally regular square second fixedportion 84 having a diagonal length generally equal to the outside diameter of theshaft portion 83, and a sectionally regular square third fixedportion 83 of a size smaller than the second fixedportion 84. Thosevarious portions 81 through 85 are formed such that their axes are aligned with one another. - The first fixed
portion 82 of theconnection shaft 8 is non-turnably fitted to a sectionallysquare throughhole 32 which is formed in a central portion of the firstturnable member 3. Particularly, in this embodiment, by press fitting the first fixedportion 82 to thethroughhole 32, the firstturnable member 3 is fixed to theconnection shaft 8. The right end portion and the left end portion of theshaft portion 83 of theconnection shaft 8 are slidingly movably and turnably fitted to throughholes 43, 63 which are formed in the central portions of the first and secondmovable members portion 84 of theconnection shaft 8 is non-turnably fitted to a throughhole 52 which is formed in the central portion of the secondturnable member 5, and the thirdfixed member 85 is non-turnably fitted to a throughhole 77 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) which is formed in the central portion of thedisc portion 71 of the fixedmember 7. Moreover, by caulking the third fixedportion 85, the fixedportion 7 is urged against the secondturnable member 5 and in addition, the secondturnable member 5 is urged against a steppedsurface 86 which is formed between theshaft portion 83 and the second fixedportion 84. By this, the secondturnable member 5 is fixed to the second fixedportion 84, and the fixedmember 7 is fixed to the third fixedportion 85. As a consequence, the firstturnable member 3 and the secondturnable member 5 generally sandwichingly hold the hingemain body 2 from the opposite sides, thereby theentire hinge assembly 1 is unitized. Moreover, the first and secondturnable members connection shaft 8. - The coiled
spring 9 is disposed in a space between the inner peripheral surface of the hingemain body 2 and the outer peripheral surface of theshaft portion 83. Thiscoiled spring 9 is placed in its compressed state. One end of thecoiled spring 9 is in abutment with the firstmovable member 4 and the other end is in abutment with the secondmovable member 6. Accordingly, by the biasing force of thecoiled spring 9, the firstmovable member 4 is caused to abut with the firstturnable member 3 and the secondmovable member 6 is caused to abut with the secondturnable member 5. A first and asecond conversion mechanism coiled spring 9 into a force for turning the firstturnable member 3 are disposed between the abutment surfaces of the firstturnable member 3 and the firstmovable member 4. A third and afourth conversion mechanism coiled spring 9 into a force for turning the secondturnable member 5 are disposed between the secondturnable member 5 and the secondmovable member 6. - The first and
second conversion mechanisms turnable member 3 and the firstmovable member 4 will now be described. A pair ofballs movable member 4 which is located opposite the firstturnable member 3. Theballs movable member 4 in such a manner as to be 180 degrees away from each other in the circumferential direction. Instead of eachball movable member 4. - On the other hand, a pair of engaging
recesses turnable member 3 which is located opposite the firstmovable member 4. The pair of engagingrecesses turnable member 3 in such a manner as to be 180 degrees away from each other in the circumferential direction. The circumference on which the pair of engagingrecesses balls recesses turnable member 3, is set to be equal or slightly larger than the outside diameter of theballs recesses turnable member 3 is, as shown in FIG. 7(C), set to be longer than the radius of theballs engaging recess turnable member 3 and is gradually reduced in the circumferential direction of the firstturnable member 3. However, the depth of eachengaging recess ball - Since the depth of the engaging
recesses balls recesses turnable member 3 is merely pushed rightwards by thecoiled spring 9 through both the fistmovable member 4 andballs turnable member 3 is held in a constant turning position without turning. In that state, thekey groove 31 of the firstturnable member 3, thekey groove 51 of the secondturnable member 5 and therecess 73 of the fixedmember 7 are located on the same circumference as thekey groove 21 of the hingemain body 2. - Since the radius of curvature in a section in the circumferential direction of the engaging
recesses balls balls recesses balls recesses tunable member 3 is turn biased by thecoiled spring 9 through the firstmovable member 4. That is, as shown in FIG. 7(C), if an arrangement is made such that those portions of the bottom surfaces of the engagingrecesses balls coiled spring 9 is converted into a turn biasing force for turn biasing the firstturnable member 3 in a direction as indicated by an arrow X (closing direction). By this turn biasing force, the firsttunable member 3 is turn biased in the closing direction. - When the first
turnable member 3 is turned about 140 degrees to 150 degrees in a direction as indicated by an arrow Y from a state in which theballs balls guide grooves recesses recesses balls coiled spring 9 is converted into a turn biasing force for turn biasing the firstturnable member 3 in a direction (opening direction) as indicated by an arrow Y. By this turn biasing force, the firstturnable member 3 is turn biased in the opening direction. Of course, in the state in which theballs turnable member 3 is turned 140 degrees to 150 degrees in a direction as indicated by an arrow X, theballs guide grooves first conversion mechanism 100 is constructed by theballs second conversion mechanism 200 is constructed by theballs - On the other hand, a third and a
fourth conversion mechanism turnable member 5 and the secondmovable member 6 are constructed in the same manner as the first and thesecond conversion mechanism first conversion mechanism 100 turns the firstturnable member 3 in the closing direction (direction as indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 7), thethird conversion mechanism 300 turns the secondturnable member 5 in the direction as indicated by the arrow X, and when thesecond conversion mechanism 200 turns the firstturnable member 3 in the opening direction (direction as indicated by an arrow Y in FIG. 7), thefourth conversion mechanism 400 turns the secondturnable member 5 in a direction as indicated by the arrow Y. Therefore, detailed description of the third andfourth conversion mechanisms - The procedure for receiving the
hinge assembly 1 having the above-mentioned construction in the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B1, Cl on the right side will be described next. - As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the axes of the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B1, C1 are aligned with the rotation axis L. Then, the key portion B2 of the first receiving cylindrical portion B1 and the key portion C3 of the second receiving cylindrical portion C1 are linearly arranged. This can be achieved by turning the transmission section B and the reception section C about 180 degrees from the closed position. On the other hand, with respect to the
hinge assembly 1, theballs recesses key groove 21 of the hingemain body 2, thekey grooves turnable members recess 73 of the fixedmember 7 are aligned. Next, the positioning alignment of thekey grooves recess 73 in the circumferential direction is made with respect to the key portions B2, C3. Thereafter, thehinge assembly 1 is inserted in the first receiving cylindrical portion B1 and the second receiving cylindrical portion C1 through the outer opening portion of the first receiving cylindrical portion B1 first with the fixedmember 7. - When the
hinge assembly 1 has been inserted into the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B1, C1 until it reaches a predetermined position shown in FIG. 11, thedisc portion 71 and thesandwichingly holding projection 74 of the fixedmember 7 sandwichingly hold the annular projection C2 of the second receiving cylindrical portion C1. By this, thehinge assembly 1 is positionally fixed to the second receiving cylindrical portion C1 and prevented from escaping from the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B1, C1. In that state, most part of the right side of the hingemain body 2 is non-turnably fitted to the first receiving cylindrical portion B1, and the end portion of the left side of the hingemain body 2 is turnably fitted to the second receiving cylindrical portion C1. By this, the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B1, C1 are turnably connected to each other and thus, the transmission section B and the reception section C are turnably connected to each other. By fitting the key portion C3 of the second receiving cylindrical portion C1 in thekey portion 51 of the secondturnable member 5, the secondturnable member 5 is non-turnably connected to the second receiving cylindrical portion C1 and thus, non-turnably connected to the reception section C. Of course, since the firstturnable member 3 is non-turnably connected to the secondturnable member 5 through theconnection shaft 8, it is also non-turnably connected to the reception section C. The key portion B2 of the first receiving cylindrical portion B1 is never fitted in thekey groove 31 of the firstturnable member 3. Accordingly, the firstturnable member 3 is turnable with respect to the first receiving cylindrical portion B1. Thus, there is no need of formation of thekey groove 31. - After the
hinge assembly 1 is received in the first and second receiving cylindrical portions B1, C1 of the cellular telephone A in the manner as mentioned above, the reception section C is turned a predetermined angle, for example, about 20 degrees, towards the closed position side with respect to the transmission section B. By doing so, the reception section C is located at the open position. Thereafter, a stopper mechanism is attached between the transmission section B and the transmission section C, so that the reception section C is prevented from turning from the closed position side towards the open position side beyond the open position. In a state in which the reception section C is located in the open position, theballs coiled spring 9. As a consequence, the reception section C is held in the open position. - When the reception section C is turned a predetermined angle, for example, about 10 to 20 degrees towards the closed position side against the biasing force of the
coiled spring 9, theballs recesses guide grooves - When the reception section C is turned a predetermined angle, for example, 140 degrees to 150 degrees from the open position, the
balls recesses coiled spring 9 through the first andthird conversion mechanisms - In the above cellular telephone A with the
hinge assembly 1 attached thereto, it is presumed that the reception section C is located at the closed position. In that state, when the reception section C is turned towards the open position side, theballs recesses guide grooves third conversion mechanisms coiled spring 9 at the time the reception section C is located at the closed position, is represented by L and the moving distance (=moving distance of the first and secondmovable members 4, 6) of theballs first conversion mechanism 100 in a direction of the rotation axis L is represented by ΔL, the length L1 of thecoiled spring 9 at the time theballs recesses - L1=L−2Δ
- because two conversion mechanisms of the first and
third conversion mechanisms coiled spring 9 into a turn biasing force, in other words, because two sets of the first inclination surfaces 105, 106 as cam faces are used. As apparent from the foregoing, in thehinge assembly 1 of the present invention, when thecoiled spring 9 is brought out of the engagingrecesses guide grooves first conversion mechanism 100 and thethird conversion mechanism 300 is provided, the amount of compression of thecoiled spring 9 is increased by twice. - When the
balls recesses coiled spring 9 is converted, by the second andfourth conversion portions coiled spring 9 is 2ΔL which is twice as large as the amount of deformation of the conventional hinge assembly, it is possible that the reception section C is turned into the open position and held there with a sufficiently large force. The same is true when the reception C is turned from the open position towards the closed position side. - FIG. 12 shows a second embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention. In a
hinge assembly 1′ in this second embodiment, the outside diameter of thehead portion 81 of theconnection shaft 8 is set to be generally equal to that of the hingemain body 2, and thishead portion 81 is also used as the first turnable member (turnable member). Accordingly, the engagingrecesses guide grooves 33, 34 (see FIG. 7) are formed at the left end face of thehead portion 81 which is located opposite the firstmovable member 4. All the remaining construction is same as above-mentionedhinge assembly 1. - In this
hinge assembly 1′, since thehead portion 81 is also used as the first turnable member, the number of the component parts can be reduced to that extent, and thus, the manufacturing cost of thehinge assembly 1′ can be reduced. - FIG. 13 shows a third embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention. In a
hinge assembly 1″ of this third embodiment, the secondturnable member 5 and the fixedmember 7 are integral with theconnection shaft 8. That is, a sectionally circularcomposite portion 87 is formed on the left end portion, in FIG. 13, of theconnection shaft 8 such that its axis is aligned with that of theconnection shaft 8. Thiscomposite portion 87 is also used as the secondturnable member 5 and thedisc portion 71 of the fixedmember 7. Accordingly, the outside diameter of thecomposite portion 87 is set to be equal to those of the secondturnable member 5 and thedisc portion 71. Between thecomposite portion 87 and themovable member 6, the third andfourth conversion mechanisms key groove 51 is formed in the outer peripheral surface of thecomposite portion 87 such that the key groove traverses thecomposite portion 87 in the axial direction of thecomposite portion 87. In addition, aneck portion 72 is formed at the left end face of thecomposite portion 87. Of course, theannular projection 74 is formed at the distal end portion of theneck portion 72, and theslits 76 are formed in theannular projection 74 and theneck portion 72. The firstturnable member 3 is non-turnably connected to the right end portion of theconnection shaft 8, and the firstturnable member 3 is prevented from escaping rightwards, in FIG. 13, from theconnection shaft 8 by the stopper 10. All the remaining construction is same as theabove hinge assembly 1. - In the
hinge assembly 1″ of this third embodiment, since the secondturnable member 5 and the fixedmember 7 are integrally disposed at theconnection shaft 8, the number of component parts can further be reduced than that of thehinge assembly 1′ of the second embodiment and thus, the manufacturing cost can further be reduced. - A fourth embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the present invention will be described next. In this fourth embodiment, a first
turnable member 3′ of FIG. 14 is used instead of the above firstturnable member 3, and a secondturnable member 5′ of FIG. 15 is used instead of the above secondturnable member 5. All the remaining construction is same as the above hinge assembly. Therefore, in this embodiment, only the first and secondturnable members 3′, 5′, particularly only those constructions which are different from the first and secondturnable members - First
fitting recesses turnable member 3′ where the engagingrecesses - The first
fitting recesses 111 each have a bottom surface whose radius of curvature is generally equal to the radius of theball 101 so that theball 101 is detachably fitted thereto. Moreover, the respective firstfitting recesses 111 are arranged on the same circumference on which the engagingrecesses turnable member 3′ is turned about its axis, theball 101 is sequentially fitted to the respective firstfitting recesses 111 in accordance with the turning motion of the firstturnable member 3′. That firstfitting recess 111 of all the firstfitting recesses 111 which is located nearest to theengaging recess 103 is arranged such that when the firstturnable member 3′ is turned a predetermined angle α1 from the closed position, theball 101 is fitted to the specific firstfitting recess 111. The remaining firstfitting recesses 111 are arranged away from each other by an angle β in the circumferential direction of the firstturnable member 3′. In this embodiment, the angles are set such that α1=90 degrees and β1=20 degrees. The diameter of the firstfitting recess 111 at the outer surface of the firstturnable member 3′ is set to be longer than the length corresponding to the angle β1 of the circumference on which thefitting recesses 111 are arranged. As a consequence, the end portions of the adjacent firstfitting recesses turnable member 3′ are overlapped with each other. - The first
fitting recesses 112 each have a bottom surface whose radius of curvature is generally equal to the radius of theball 102 so that theball 102 is detachably fitted thereto. Moreover, the firstfitting recesses 112 are point symmetrically arranged with the corresponding firstfitting recesses 111 with respect to the axis of the firstturnable member 3′. Accordingly, at the position where the firstturnable member 3′ is turned by an angle α1 from the closed position and at those positions where the firstturnable member 3′ is turned further therefrom by an angle β1 each time, theball 102 is fitted to the respective fitting recesses 112. - Second fitting recesses (second recesses)113, 114 are formed in that surface of the second
turnable member 5′ where the engagingrecesses fitting recesses - The second
fitting recess 113, which is located nearest to theengaging recess 103, is arranged away from the closed position by a predetermined angle α2. The angle α2 is set to α1±β1/2. Particularly, in this embodiment, the angle is set such that α2=α1+β1/2=100 degrees. The two second fitting recesses 113, 113, which are adjacent in the circumferential direction of the secondturnable member 5′, are arranged away from each other by an angle β1 (=20 degrees). Accordingly, the respective secondfitting recesses 113 are arranged in such a manner as to be displaced in phase by β1/2=10 degrees in the circumferential direction of theturnable member 3′ and the secondturnable member 5′ with respect to the respective fitting recesses 111. That is, the firstfitting recesses 111 and the second fitting recesses 113 are alternately arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the first and secondturnable members 3′, 5′. On the other hand, the second fitting recesses 114 are point symmetrically arranged with the second fitting recesses 113 with respect to the axis of the secondturnable member 5′. Accordingly, the second fitting recesses 114 each are arranged in such a manner as to be displaced in phase by β1/2 with respect to the first fitting recesses 112. All the remaining construction of the second fitting recesses 113, 114 is same as the first fitting recesses 111, 112. - In the cellular telephone having the first
turnable member 3′ and the secondturnable member 5′ thus constructed, when the reception section C is turned from the closed position towards the open position side and thus, the first and secondturnable members 3′, 5′ are turned 90 degrees from the closed position towards the open position side, theballs turnable members 3′, 5′ are turned by β1/2=10 degrees towards the open position side, theballs turnable members 3′, 5′ are turned about 160 degrees, theballs recesses turnable members 3′, 5′ are to be turned from the open position towards the closed position side, theballs - In the hinge assembly of this embodiment, since the first fitting recesses111, 112 and the second fitting recesses 113, 114 are arranged between the engaging
recesses balls turnable members 3′, 5′ can be stopped with a feel of click and thus, the reception section C can be stopped with a feel of click. Particularly, in this embodiment, since the first fitting recesses 111, 112 and the second fitting recesses 113, 114 are arranged in such a manner as to be displaced in phase so that the first fitting recesses 111, 112 and the second fitting recesses 113, 114 are mutually located at an intermediate position, the number of positions where the reception section C is stopped can be increased. - The first fitting recesses111, 112 and the second fitting recesses 113, 114 may be arranged in the same positions in the circumferential direction of the first and second
turnable members 3′, 5′. In case an arrangement is made in that way, since theballs turnable members 3′, 5′ and the reception section C can be stopped with a stronger feel of click. This is also true in the next embodiment which is to be described hereinafter. - FIGS. 16 and 17 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a modification of the embodiment shown in FIGS.14 and 15. In this embodiment, a first
turnable member 3″ shown in FIG. 16 is used instead of the firstturnable member 3′ and a secondturnable member 5″ shown in FIG. 17 is used instead of the secondturnable member 5′. All the remaining construction is same as thehinge assembly 1. Therefore, only the first and secondturnable members 3″, 5″ will be described in this embodiment. - A plural pieces each of first
fitting recesses turnable member 3″. However, different from the above embodiment, in this embodiment, two pieces each of the first fitting recesses 111, 112 are formed. The first fitting recesses 111, 111 are arranged away from one another by an angle β2 in the circumferential direction. The angle β2 is set such that the length corresponding to the angle β2 of the circumference on which thefitting recesses 111 are arranged, is longer than the diameter of the firstfitting recess 111. In this embodiment, the angle is set such that β2=30 degrees. Accordingly, the first fitting recesses 111, 111 each as an entirety are located away from each other without allowing their end portions in the circumferential direction of the firstturnable member 3″ to be overlapped with each other. The firstfitting recesses 112 are, likewise, arranged away by an angle β2 in the circumferential direction of the secondturnable member 5″. - Plural pieces each of the second fitting recesses113, 114 are formed in the second
turnable member 5″. In this embodiment, two pieces each of the second fitting recesses 113, 114 are formed. The second fitting recesses 113, 114 are arranged such that they are located away from each other by an angle β2 in the circumferential direction of the secondturnable member 5″ and they are displaced in phase by an angle β2/2 with respect to the first fitting recesses 111, 112. - The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Instead many changes and modifications can be made in accordance with necessity.
- For example, in the above embodiment, the
hinge assembly 1 according to the present invention is applied to the cellular telephone A. Thehinge assembly 1 can likewise be used between other two goods which are to be turnably connected to each other. - Moreover, in the above embodiments, although only the second
turnable member 5 is non-turnably connected to the reception section C, both the first and secondturnable members turnable member 3 may be non-turnably connected to the reception section C. In case the firstturnable member 3 is non-turnably connected to the reception section C, a receiving cylindrical portion, which is located adjacent to the right end face of the first receiving cylindrical portion B1 of the transmission section B, is formed at the reception section C, a key portion is formed at this receiving cylindrical portion, and the key portion is fitted to thekey groove 31 of the thirdturnable member 3. - Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the
hinge assembly 1 is used in the cellular telephone A. Therefore, although the first inclination surfaces (cam faces) 105, 106 for converting the biasing force of thecoiled spring 9 into a turn biasing force for turn biasing the first turnable member 3 (second turnable member 5) towards the closed position side and the second inclination surfaces (cam faces) 107, 108 for converting the biasing force of thecoiled spring 9 into a turn biasing force for turning the first turnable member 3 (second turnable member 5) towards the open position side are used, only one of them may be used. - The hinge assembly according to the present invention can be used as a hinge assembly for interconnecting two goods such as a main body and a cover member of a cellular telephone and a personal computer, and for turn biasing one of the two goods into a predetermined turning position.
Claims (7)
1. A hinge assembly comprising a hinge main body, a turnable member turnably disposed at one end side of said hinge main body, a movable member disposed at one end portion of said hinge main body such that said turnable member is movable in a direction of a rotation axis of said turnable member but non-turnable and arranged opposite that end face of said turnable member which is oriented towards the other end side of said hinge main body, and bias means for urging said movable member so as to abut with said turnable member, one of abutment surfaces of said turnable member and said movable member being provided with a projection and the other abutment surface being provided with a cam face for converting a biasing force of said bias means into a turn biasing force for turning said turnable member in one direction by abutment of said cam face with said projection when said turnable member is turned into a predetermined position,
characterized in that said hinge assembly further comprises a second turnable member turnably disposed at the other end side of said hinge main body with an axis thereof aligned with said turnable member and non-turnably connected to said turnable member, and a second movable member disposed at the other-end portion of said hinge main body such that said second movable member is movable in a direction of a rotation axis of said second turnable member but non-turnable and urged by said bias means so as to abut with that end face of said second turnable member which is oriented towards one end side of said hinge main body, one of abutment surfaces of said second turnable member and said second movable member being provided with a second projection and the other abutment surface being provided with a second cam face for converting a biasing force of said bias means into a turn biasing force which acts in the same direction as the turn biasing force converted by said cam face when said turnable member is turned into said predetermined position.
2. A hinge assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said turnable member and said second turnable member are non-turnably and non-movably disposed at opposite end portions of a connection shaft which is turnably pierced through said hinge main body.
3. A hinge assembly according to claim 2 , wherein one of said turnable member and said second turnable member is integrally formed on said connection shaft.
4. A hinge assembly according to any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein a fitting recess for allowing said projection to be detachably fitted therein in accordance with relative turning motion of said turnable member and said movable member is formed in that abutment surface of the abutment surfaces of said turnable member and said movable member on which said cam face is formed, and a second fitting recess for allowing said second projection to be detachably fitted therein in accordance with relative turning motion of said second turnable member and said second movable member is formed in that abutment surface of the abutment surfaces of said second turnable member and said second movable member on which said cam face is formed.
5. A hinge assembly according to claim 4 , wherein a plurality of said fitting recesses are formed, said fitting recesses are arranged on a circumference about the axis of said turnable member in such a manner as to be away from one another, a plurality of said second fitting recesses are formed, said second fitting recesses are arranged on a circumference about the axis of said second turnable member in such a manner as to be away from one another
6. A hinge assembly according to claim 5 , wherein said fitting recesses and said second fitting recesses are arranged in such a manner as to have mutually different phases in the circumferential directions of said turnable member and said second turnable member, so that said fitting recesses and said second fitting recesses are alternately located in the circumferential directions.
7. A hinge assembly according to claim 5 , wherein said fitting recesses and said second fitting recesses are arranged in such a manner as to have a mutually same phase in the circumferential directions of said turnable member and said second turnable member.
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2001050525 | 2001-02-26 | ||
JP2001-50525 | 2001-02-26 | ||
JP2001-050525 | 2001-02-26 | ||
JP2001339154 | 2001-11-05 | ||
JP2001-339154 | 2001-11-05 | ||
PCT/JP2002/001504 WO2002068833A1 (en) | 2001-02-26 | 2002-02-21 | Hinge device |
Publications (2)
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US20030101538A1 true US20030101538A1 (en) | 2003-06-05 |
US6785936B2 US6785936B2 (en) | 2004-09-07 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/258,261 Expired - Fee Related US6785936B2 (en) | 2001-02-26 | 2002-02-21 | Hinge device |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US6785936B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1365161A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4290989B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100567119B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1217107C (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002068833A1 (en) |
Cited By (14)
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US20020123366A1 (en) * | 2001-03-01 | 2002-09-05 | Sundarraj Doraiswamy | Preferential deflection hinge mechanism with an idler for foldable portable electronic devices |
US20040025297A1 (en) * | 2001-02-28 | 2004-02-12 | Shinichiro Koshikawa | Hinge device |
US20040198412A1 (en) * | 2002-12-20 | 2004-10-07 | Morten Pontoppidan | Transformer hinge design |
US20050091795A1 (en) * | 2003-10-31 | 2005-05-05 | Dong Jeong | Swing hinge device for a portable terminal |
US20050138774A1 (en) * | 2003-12-31 | 2005-06-30 | Wen-Lin Gan | Hinge assembly for portable electronic device |
US20050150081A1 (en) * | 2004-01-09 | 2005-07-14 | Wen-Lin Gan | Hinge assembly for portable electronic device |
US20050253358A1 (en) * | 2004-05-17 | 2005-11-17 | Benq Corporation | Adjustable hinge |
US20060096063A1 (en) * | 2004-11-06 | 2006-05-11 | Fih Co., Ltd. | Hinge assembly with rolling means |
US20080301908A1 (en) * | 2007-06-11 | 2008-12-11 | Jarllytec Co., Ltd. | Hinge structure with position-locking engagement means |
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Cited By (22)
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US20040025297A1 (en) * | 2001-02-28 | 2004-02-12 | Shinichiro Koshikawa | Hinge device |
US6832411B2 (en) * | 2001-02-28 | 2004-12-21 | Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd. | Hinge device |
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US20020123366A1 (en) * | 2001-03-01 | 2002-09-05 | Sundarraj Doraiswamy | Preferential deflection hinge mechanism with an idler for foldable portable electronic devices |
US20040198412A1 (en) * | 2002-12-20 | 2004-10-07 | Morten Pontoppidan | Transformer hinge design |
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US20050138774A1 (en) * | 2003-12-31 | 2005-06-30 | Wen-Lin Gan | Hinge assembly for portable electronic device |
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US7665184B2 (en) * | 2004-11-06 | 2010-02-23 | Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Hinge assembly with rolling means |
US20080301908A1 (en) * | 2007-06-11 | 2008-12-11 | Jarllytec Co., Ltd. | Hinge structure with position-locking engagement means |
US7757350B2 (en) * | 2007-06-11 | 2010-07-20 | Jarllytec Co., Ltd. | Hinge structure with position-locking engagement means |
US20100064478A1 (en) * | 2008-09-12 | 2010-03-18 | Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Hinge assembly for portable electronic devices |
US20100077565A1 (en) * | 2008-10-01 | 2010-04-01 | Wei-Kuo Huang | Hinge capable of being positioned at any angle |
CN108533607A (en) * | 2017-03-03 | 2018-09-14 | 深圳市富世达通讯有限公司 | Torque force device and torsion piece |
US11767694B2 (en) * | 2017-11-24 | 2023-09-26 | Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd. | Hinge |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20020097228A (en) | 2002-12-31 |
JPWO2002068833A1 (en) | 2004-06-24 |
WO2002068833A1 (en) | 2002-09-06 |
JP4290989B2 (en) | 2009-07-08 |
US6785936B2 (en) | 2004-09-07 |
EP1365161A1 (en) | 2003-11-26 |
KR100567119B1 (en) | 2006-03-31 |
EP1365161A4 (en) | 2005-03-30 |
CN1461388A (en) | 2003-12-10 |
CN1217107C (en) | 2005-08-31 |
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